Emirates Biotech and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have launched a two-year project to build and operate the UAE’s first integrated organic-waste valorization pilot plant, targeting food waste and compostable packaging as feedstock for renewable biogas and nutrient-rich compost.

 

The pilot plant, to be located near the UAEU campus in Al Ain, will process up to 40 kilograms of organic waste a day and test an integrated approach combining anaerobic digestion and composting.

 

The project was formally launched at UAEU in Al Ain in the presence of key value-chain stakeholders, including Emirates Environmental Group, Hotpack, AW Rostamani Group (VerraPak), Tadweer Group, University of Sharjah and Pacogreen.

 

The initiative comes as the UAE faces a significant food-waste challenge. Food waste accounts for nearly 40% of daily municipal solid waste in the country, with much of it ending up in landfills. Food-contaminated conventional plastic packaging can also be difficult to recycle.

 

The research team will examine whether food waste and compostable packaging can be processed together to recover valuable resources while diverting waste from landfill.

 

Rami, Associate Provost for Research, UAEU stated: “At UAEU, we believe that solving societal and environmental challenges requires strong collaboration between academia and industry. Our partnership with Emirates Biotech demonstrates how research and innovation can be translated into practical, scalable solutions that support the UAE’s sustainability goals.”

 

“This integrated pilot project will evaluate a practical end-of-life pathway for food waste and compostable packaging while supporting the UAE’s circular economy, food security and Net Zero ambitions. It will also provide a platform for training students and researchers and strengthening local capability in waste-to-resource technologies” said Professor Zafar Said Sher, UAEU project lead.

 

The pilot plant will use anaerobic digestion to convert organic waste into renewable biogas, while the resulting digestate will undergo composting to produce nutrient-rich compost.

 

Running from August 2026 to August 2028, the project will assess the technical performance, environmental impact and economic potential of the integrated process. Installation and commissioning are expected to be completed by August 2027.

 

Students and researchers will receive hands-on technical and research training as part of the project. A separate laboratory-scale assessment will also investigate the potential to convert the resulting biogas into renewable hydrogen.

 

“The project will demonstrate a novel integrated biorefinery concept for organic waste management in the UAE. Anaerobic digestion will convert organic waste into renewable biogas, with the potential for upgrading to green hydrogen. The resulting digestate will undergo composting to produce nutrient-rich compost. 

 

"Successful regional validation could be a game changer for organic waste diversion and circularity, while demonstrating the role of compostable packaging as an enabler.” Aman Kulshrestha, Chief Technology Officer of Emirates Biotech added.

 

If successfully scaled, an integrated organic-waste valorization plant could reduce CO₂ emissions by 89% compared with landfilling.

 

The project is ultimately intended to generate the technical evidence needed for a scalable, modular model for converting food waste and compostable packaging into renewable biogas and compost, supporting the UAE’s longer-term waste-management, circular-economy and sustainability ambitions.